Author Archives: Safe-Card ID Team

CIM Printer – Sunlight K3 Printer Drivers and Firmware

CIM Sunlight K3 Printer Drivers and Firmware

*Please note: The Sunlight K3 is no longer in production and is out of support. This printer’s drivers and firmware are no longer kept current. Links in this post point to Sunlight K3 printer drivers and firmware as well as those for newer CIM printers.* If you have a Sunlight K3 printer, you should periodically check to ensure you have the latest hardware drivers and device firmware. These downloads are available directly from the Technical Support section of the CIM-USA website, here. Note that 32-bit drivers are available for Windows XP & Vista, while there is also a 64-bit driver that will support Windows XP, Vista & Windows 7. Windows 7 is the latest available operating system compatible with the drivers and firmware for the Sunlight K3.

The CIM Sunlight K3 User Manual

CIM Sunlight K3 Printer, drivers and firmware are still available.

This page also has a PDF of the device user-manual. This manual contains useful information on the operation and regular maintenance of your K3 printer. Regular maintenance includes updating drivers and firmware and regular printer cleanings, which are also crucial to smooth operation.

Call our experts at +1 888.485.4696 for additional information about the CIM Sunlight K3 printers. Visit our website or call for more information about newer model CIM printer. We would be happy to provide additional information.

Dual sided ID cards with a single sided card printer

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In these days of a tightened economy, households and businesses alike are tightening their belts and purchasing necessary items, but leaving luxury items on the shelf. As well as dealing with tight financial budgets, companies are also needing to add layers of security within the organization to protect the business properties, it’s operations and it’s employees.

ID cards are a common security layer needed in the business and educational world. They are used for identification as well as more specialized functions of access and debiting a financial account. Organizations that need to purchase or replace an id card printer can reduce their card printer expense if they can manage with a single side printer rather than a dual sided printer.

Dual sided printers print the front of the id card in full color. The printer then flips the card inside the printer and completes a black print on the back of the card. The process is easy. If a company wishes to have printing on both sides of their id card, but does not have the funds for a dual sided printer, an option is available. A single side printer can be used to print the front side of the card. By using a YMCKO print ribbon, the printer will print a full color front side. The print ribbon can then be exchanged with a black ribbon. When the card is flipped and placed back in the printer, the card printer operator can choose to print the black back on the card. This process is a bit combersome, but will keep expenses under control.

To smooth out the process, many of our customers preprint the back of many cards at one time. They keep these “preprinted” cards clean and available for the customized printing on the front side as needed.

For additional hints and tips for your id card printing project, contact our experts toll free at 888-485-4696. We specialize in Fargo printers, Evolis printers, Magicard printers and CIM printers.

Smart Card Defined

A smart card is a card, usually the size of an id card, contains embedded integrated circuits. The circuts are able to process information and deliver output. The cards are able to store, process, communcate and encrypt data useful for organizational processes. The data transmission is made by contacting the card to an appropriate reader or holding the card close to a contactless interface.

The card technology, developed in the late 1960s has become increasingly common since the mid 1990s. The most common uses are in banking and mass transit. Increased use in personal identification is currently being seen.

The security and functionality of id cards has dramatically increased with the introduction of smart card technology to the identification card market. Combination cards are now commonplace in many organizations. Besides identification, the current id card can be used to obtain physical access control to secured buildings or areas. The cards can also be used to access secure networks or databases.

Popular uses for smart cards are: student identification, employee badging and access, vending, parking, tolls, electronic cash.

Various types of smart cards are available in the market. Additional specific information about the various options will be coming.

If you need additional information about photo id cards or id card systems, contact our experts toll free at 888-485-4696. We would be happy to provide information for your specific requirements.

Evolis ID Card Printer – How to Clean the printhead

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When cleaning the Evolis printer, it is recommended that you clean the printhead.  Following are the steps to take in this process:

1.  Turn off the printer by pressing the green light on the control panel.

2.  Open the printer cover.

3.  Take a new cleaning swab and press it in the middle until it clicks.

4.  Run the swab from left to right on the printhead for a short time.

5.  Close the printer cover.

6.  Wait about 2 minutes for the cleaner to evaporate.

7.  The printhead has been cleaned.

How to Repair a Broken Print Ribbon

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If you are using the id card printer ribbon type that has two spools and the ribbon breaks during printing, do not do what many people do and throw the rest of the card printer ribbon away. It is possible to save most of the remaining prints left on the ribbon by following these instructions.

1. Remove the printer ribbon spools from the printer and stand them upright on their ends.
2. Pull some of the ribbon from the spool supplying the ribbon and line it up with the end of the ribbon from the spool taking used ribbon. You may need to trim the ribbon with sissors to line them up.
3. Tape the broken ends of the ribbon that you have matched together.
4. Roll the ribbons one time around so that the tape is wound inside the used ribbon spool and not visible.
5. Place the ribbon back into the printer following the manufacturers guidelines for placing print ribbons in your printer.
6. Turn the power to the printer off.
7. After a few moments, turn the printer power back on and begin your id card printing processes.

If you are using a printer cartridge from the newer id badge printers, such as the Fargo C30, follow the directions below.

1. Remove the printer cartridge from the printer.
2. Line up the broken ribbon ends.
2. Tape the right hand spool ribbon to the left hand spool with a piece of scotch tape.
3. Turn the take up spool on the left counter clockwise to wind up a few panels of the ribbon.
4. Reinsert the cartridge.
5. Turn the printer off.
6. After a few moments, turn the printer power back on. This will reset the ribbon to the proper color panel.

Visit our website for more information on id card printers. We provide the following printer lines: Fargo Printer, Evolis Printer, CIM Printer and Magicard Printer. Ideal id sofware, cameras and all accessories and supplies are available to make id card printing easy.

Evolis Printers – How to Clean the Rollers

When cleaning the Evolis printers, it is good to clean the rollers at the same time that a cleaning card is used to clean the inside of the printer.  Following are the steps to cleaning the roller in your Evolis printer.

1.  Open the Evolis printer cover.

2.  Remove the print ribbon.

3.  Remove the cleaning roller from the printer.

4.  Take a new cleaning cloth and eliminate dirt and dust on the roller by rubbing the cloth gently across the surface of the roller.

5.  Place the roller back into the printer when it is dry.

6.  Return the print ribbon back into the ribbon spindles.

7.  Close the cover.

As always, our technicians are available for assistance at 704-535-5200; we look forward to hearing from you!

Evolis Printer- Drivers and Frequently Asked Questions

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A new Evolis ID card printer comes with drivers and instruction manuals so that installation should be simple with straightforward driver and software downloads. Just in case the included CDs are misplaced or there are additional questions about your printer that you would like to research, Evolis has created a product support area on their website to assist in providing needed information efficiently. Choose the printer you need assistance with and your driver or frequently asked questions are a click away.

The driver/support area allows you to select the printer that you have. Needed information or drivers can be easily reviewed and downloaded.

For more information about Evolis ID card printers, visit our Evolis Tattoo, Evolis Pebble, Evolis Dualys, Evolis Quantum or Evolis Securion product pages.

Evolis Printers – How to Clean the Evolis Printer

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To keep your Evolis printer running smoothly, it is recommended that the internal parts of the printer be cleaned about every 1,000 prints.   The cleaning light will light on the printer when the recommended cards have run through the printer and cleaning is due. Following are the recommended steps to clean the ID card printers.

1.  Turn the printer on.

2.  Open the printer cover.

3.  Remove the print ribbon.

4.  Close the cover.

5.  Open a new Evolis cleaning card.

6.  Remove PVC cards from the card feeder and insert the cleaning card into the feeder.

7.  Adjust the card thickness to the maximum position.

8.  Place the feeder back into the printer.

9.  Press the green button on the control panel for a few seconds and the cleaning will begin.

10.  The cleaning card will eject.

For more information about Evolis ID card printers, visit our Evolis Tattoo, Evolis Pebble, Evolis Dualys, Evolis Quantum or Evolis Securion product pages. For a free consultation regarding what printer would be the best fit for your application, contact us toll free at 888-485-4696.

How to Take ID Card Photos

custom idSo you are in charge of taking ID card photos for your organization. Of course, you know what you will hear. “This looks worse than my driver’s license.” Don’t worry, we have collected some tips that will guide you through taking best possible ID card photos.

To get the best pictures possible of your members, set up your camera in the following way:

  1. Set the digital camera to low resolution 640 x 480. You do not need a large picture to fit on an ID badge. Large pictures take up additional space on the computer.
  2. Set the flash to “flash fill”. Turn time and date stamps on the camera off.
  3. Test the camera by taking a few pictures prior to the picture shoot. This will help you feel comfortable with the particular camera and how it shoots. You can review the test shots to make sure that the pictures are correct in lighting and distance from the camera. Make sure that you photograph the person from the chest up and leave some room above the head.

For lighting and the setting we recommend the following:

  1. Have the person photographed stand against a neutral backdrop. (We use light blue.)
  2. For best results, the subject should wear clothing colors that compliment and contrast with their natural skin tone and hair color (i.e., brunettes should not wear brown; blondes should not stand in front of a beige wall).
  3. Make sure there is enough light in the room. Natural light will produce the best results. Often that is not possible. In that case, consider setting up various light sources around the room to provide the best results for your pictures.

When taking ID card photos, try these steps:

  1. Talk with the person prior to taking the picture. Let the person know if they need to smile or be serious. Let then know if something about their hair or clothing may need to be adjusted prior to the picture.
  2. Make sure that you photograph the person from the chest up and leave some room above the head.
  3. Hold the camera steady or use a tripod for best picture results.

If sending the pictures to a service bureau for custom card printing.

  1. Rename the .jpg picture to the person’s name, i.e., marysmith.jpg
  2. Send ID card photos to the ID badge service bureau through the method provided by your account representative.

Safe-Card ID provides all equipment and supplies needed to make IDbadges in house. We have ID card printers and ID software, cameras, and card making supplies. For more information on in house ID card systems or custom id cards for your organization, contact our experts toll free at +1 888-485-4696 or +1 704-535-5200.

When Blue Graphics or Text Print Purple

id card printer

When designing an id card, a card designer will organize the card layout and colors to just the right specifications on the screen. The badge design is perfect and so the test card is printed. It is a great feeling when the sample card looks identical to the card shown on the screen.

Unfortunately, sometimes the two images are not identical. One common difference is in the color “blue.” The blue color sometimes converts to purple on the printed card.

The way to fix this is to change the color matching that you will find in the driver. To change this go to your computer. Click on start, then settings, then printers & faxes. Right click on the driver and select “printing preferences.” Go to the device options and change the color matching to “monitor.” Test this option. If it is still not the color desired, test other options available.

If adjusting the printer driver settings does not do the trick, you will need to adjust the RGB values of the source color. Change the blue to a lighter color of blue (on the monitor) which should print a more normal blue color on your badges.

Our blog contains additional tips for id card design and id card printing.

Our company provides free toll free technical support for id card printer systems and equipment purchased here at Safe-Card. If we can assist you further with your photo id card printer or your id card software, call us toll free at 888-485-4696.